fashion, beauty, life, travel

THREE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED SINCE LIVING ABROAD

Let’s chat. Like, let’s really have a heart to heart. Grab a cup of tea and a snack because we’re going to get into it.

I’ve been living in Busan, South Korea for almost six months. Six friggin’ months. I’ve never been away from home for this long or been this far from my family. But, here I am. Still alive, happiest I’ve ever been, and creating a life for myself that’s not of the norm but, I suppose no adventurous spirit wants to be cooped up in a small town with no room for potential growth.

I was talking with my mom last night and she made a joke on how she, “always loses me.” For instance, when I was five my family went to a carnival for Canada Day. She looked at my brother and I in the eyes and said, “WE ARE NOT GOING TO THE PARK! DO NOT GO TO THE PARK!” I specifically remember she made my brother and I hold hands so we wouldn’t lose each other. Mom turned her back for a second and POOF! There I go, making a b-line to the park. She looked back and asked my brother, “where’s your sister?” He shrugged. She thought, “well she can’t be at the park, I told her not to go there.” She searched and cried and searched some more until she saw me, playing on the swings, at the damn park. Before I knew it I was scooped away into my mothers arms and carried back to where my brother was told not to move (goody toe shoes). Everyone cheered because I was the lost girl that was found.

Man, I was in so much shit that evening.

I’ve come to realize that in life (we’re about to get sentimental) you need to make a b-line to places you want to go even though people tell you not to. Since making my b-line to South Korea (my mom told me not to go initially, LOL, but here I am! All is good, she’s my biggest supporter now) here are three of the most important lessons I’ve learned from the past six months:

1. It’s hard to make friends as an adult

There was someone who commented on one of my vlogs about how I should make a video about how to make friends when you move abroad. As of right now, I can’t make that video because I don’t even know myself. I don’t want to give typical advice and say, get out of your comfort zone, join a club, don’t be shy, etc because it’ll be a bunch of bullshit to tell you what you want to hear. I’m going to give it to you straight, making friends is not easy. You can make a ton of acquaintances when you move abroad, really nice ones, but friends are hard to come by. Honestly, you just have to be patient. Someone will come along who is going to put up with you, who you’ll naturally feel comfortable with to the point where you’re making dirty jokes, watching the same shows on Netflix, paying for each other’s meals, borrowing clothing, etc. If you have found all of this with someone, you have found a friend.

Feeling lonely doesn’t have to suck. I’ve experienced loneliness while living abroad, but it meant I had time to discover hobbies I never knew I’d love (painting) and creating projects for myself that make an income (freelance writing/YouTube videos). When you move abroad you rely on yourself for your own happiness, and if you make a friend or two in the process, THAT’S A SWEET BONUS!

2. I’m not brave, just bored

A ton of people say how brave I am for moving to Asia, and the other day someone said how brave it was that I jumped into the middle of the ocean even though I don’t know how to swim. I wouldn’t call any of this brave, I just get bored. Being brave is overcoming circumstances even though odds are against you. I’m not worthy of that title. Soldiers are brave, cancer patients are brave, single parents are brave. Me? I’m a bored 20-something with an insatiable thirst for new experiences and will do anything for a good Instagram pic. That’s it.

3. Money is best spent on experiences

Buying materialistic things can make you feel good, it’s like science or something. However, the clothes, purses, watches you purchase remain separate from you. The way people make you feel, wondrous things you see, stories you create while traveling.. these are apart of you, they are inside of your heart and memory. I don’t buy as many materialistic things since I’ve moved to Korea, mostly because I can’t take much of it back to Canada. As a result, I spend my money on concerts, traveling, festivals.. these experiences have taught me a whole lot more than any new outfit or watch ever could.

That’s all from me! Cheers to another six months of learning, growing, and figuring things out. Oh, and for making a b-line to places we want to go. 😉

While we’re here, check out my latest vlog! I dye my hair blonde, go to a couple raves, participate in a 7k glow in the dark run, attend the Sea Festival, etc etc etc. It’s a fun one so watch it, like right now. kthanksloveyoubye

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About Jessica

I’m a writer, English teacher, and creator of Get Up & Go Girl. I currently call Busan, South Korea home. On this blog you’ll find musings and daily discoveries documenting my life, career, personal triumphs, and spontaneous adventures as a 20-something who strives to create and inspire.